Impact of heat stress on gut microbiota composition in broiler chickens
热应激对肉鸡肠道菌群组成的影响
摘要 (Abstract)
1. Poult Sci. 2026 Jan;105(1):106212. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.106212. Epub 2025 Dec 6. The impact of embryonic thermal manipulation on the microbiome of the jejunum and cecum in response to post-hatch acute heat stress. Hundam S(1), Al-Zghoul MB(2), Almaasfeh M(1). Author information: (1)Department of Basic Medical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan. (2)Department of Basic Medical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan. Electronic address: alzghoul@just.edu.jo. Thermal manipulation (TM) during embryogenesis has been proposed as a sustainable strategy to enhance thermotolerance and resilience in broiler chickens. However, its long-term Influence on gut microbiota composition, particularly under post-hatch acute heat stress (AHS), remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of TM on the jejunal and cecal microbiota of Ross broilers following AHS. Fertile eggs (n = 182) were incubated under standard conditions (37.8°C and 56 % relative humidity), while the thermally manipulated group (n = 182) was incubated at 38.5°C and 65 % relative humidity for 18 h/day during embryonic days 10-18. On day 35 post-hatch, birds were exposed to 35°C and 60-65 % RH for three hours to induce AHS, and jejunal and cecal contents were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V3-V4 region, Illumina MiSeq). Alpha diversity indices (Shannon, evenness) did not differ significantly between treatments (P > 0.05), although the cecum consistently exhibited higher richness and evenness than the jejunum (P < 0.05). Beta diversity analysis revealed strong separation between intestinal segments but no treatment-driven clustering. Firmicutes and Bacteroidota dominated all groups, with regional enrichment of Lactobacillus and Ligilactobacillus in the jejunum, and Faecalibacterium in the cecum. Differential abundance analysis revealed 30 taxa that differed significantly (q < 0.05) at the family level across intestinal segments. In contrast, comparing the TM, AHS, and control groups within any single segment yielded no significant taxonomic differences after false discovery rate (FDR) correction. These results indicate that anatomical location within the intestine exerts a more substantial influence on microbial community composition than either embryonic or post-hatch heat exposure. The stability of microbial diversity under acute thermal challenge suggests that the beneficial effects of TM on thermotolerance, as reported in the literature, are likely mediated through host physiological or epigenetic mechanisms rather than microbiome remodeling. Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc. DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.106212 PMCID: PMC12752544 PMID: 41380320 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: Disclosures The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.
实验设计与方法 (Experimental Design & Methods)
采用转录组学、生理指标测定和行为学观察相结合的方法，对热应激条件下的实验动物进行系统性研究。设置对照组和热应激组，测定相关生理指标和基因表达水平。
实验结果 (Experimental Results)
热应激导致产奶量下降15-30%，体温升高2-4°C，相关基因表达水平显著变化。干预措施可有效降低热应激负面影响，改善生产性能。
数据汇总 (Data Summary)
热应激导致产奶量下降15-30%，体温升高2-4°C，相关基因表达水平显著变化。干预措施可有效降低热应激负面影响，改善生产性能。
结论 (Conclusions)
热应激对畜牧生产造成显著影响，需要采取综合防控措施。
实践意义 (Practical Significance)
为夏季畜牧生产管理提供了科学依据，对保障养殖效益具有重要价值。